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Published: March 28th 2015
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Woke in my own room for the first time in a week and took a minute to realize where I was. Got breakfast at Ihop before driving out. Next meal would be in about 5 hours or so when I get to Phoenix. Driving through New Mexico and Arizona can be some of the loneliest driving you can do. It felt like I was driving through a scene from red dead redemption. I think I even saw the same mountain range from the game. Driving through a desert can really make you reflect on your life as you have so much time to think.
I got to Phoenix around 2:30PM and put in a message to my local friend Zaina that I made it. We arrange for a meetup later that evening. Hostel for this evening would be camel backpackers. It was one of only two hostels in the city. I was hungry from my drive so I walked around until I found a Mexican grill called Asada Torre. I got some Carne Asada which was grilled steak in Tacos. It was very tasty and the salsa that came with it was the best part. After eating I rested at
the hostel and hungout in the common room until the evening.
After that I went to a place called Sweet Tomatoes. It is a salad restaurant and to the best of my knowledge we don't have it in Canada. There I met Zaina and her sisters Sara and Lil V and their father. Some background, I met Zaina in Madrid a few years ago when I was trapped in Madrid due to superstorm sandy flooding NYC. I tried calling Delta to reschedule my flight but the lines were saturated and I was advised it was a 4 hour wait to talk to anyone. I was incredibly frustrated at this point and that is where Zaina came in. She was staying at the same hostel and heard my problem. She flies extensively on Delta and is a Platinum member so has access to a special helpline. She called that number on my behalf and after a conversation with a Delta rep my flight was rebooked. if it weren't for that help I would have been in Madrid for at least several more days. Staying in hostels I have always tried to help my fellow travelers wherever I could. Part of
the reason why is to pay forward Zaina's kindness.
I told Zaina and her sisters stories of all my travels and encouraged her younger sisters to travel as well because it is one of the best things to do. The salad place was good and has some interesting food. Zaina and her family were good enough to pay for my dinner and I promised to return the favour if she ever came to Toronto. We had some coffee back at her family's house before I headed back my hostel. It was getting late and I had an early drive to Mexico and San Diego
Note:
I stopped for gas on the way home and I watched the weirdest conversation between some intoxicated people and a store clerk as they tried to buy lottery tickets.
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